[W Moments by Jooseok Oh] Discovering the Fragrance of Life at TAITTINGER

[W Moments by Jooseok Oh] Discovering the Fragrance of Life at TAITTINGER

Art, Gastronomy, and a Blend of Hope: TAITTINGER The train departed Paris East Station (Gare de l'Est) right on time. Just as I was swallowing the last bite of my baguette sandwich, we arrived at Champagne Reims station. Spring sunshine bathed the street buildings and café terraces. After walking a few steps from where the taxi dropped me off, I spotted the Taittinger House (Champagne Taittinger House) with the Korean flag fluttering in the breeze. I could feel their hospitality, accommodating visitors from afar.

Paris is always bustling, but Reims is relaxed. This city offers the perfect escape for those wanting a brief respite from Paris's hustle and bustle. If you ever face a 6-7 hour delay at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, I recommend taking the train for an exhilarating adventure to Champagne and back.

UNESCO World Heritage Cellars: Hope Blossoming Amid War The heart of Taittinger House is its underground cellars, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015. This space preserves 2,000 years of history dating back to Roman times. Built by Romans in the 3rd century, these underground cellars provide an ideal wine environment in the limestone region of Champagne, aiding in the maturation of Taittinger champagne.

Deep within the cellars, traces of both World Wars still remain. In the limestone cellars 18 meters underground, I saw hope for life in humanity through the names of soldiers discovered there.

In 1932, when the wounds of World War I had barely healed, Pierre Taittinger made a bold decision. It was a difficult time when "the phylloxera crisis had reduced Champagne vineyards, Germany was in recession, Russia wasn't drinking champagne, and America had started Prohibition." Pierre Taittinger established his champagne house with the vision of "not just making champagne but also directly owning vineyards." Thanks to this new hope, Taittinger today owns the third-largest vineyard in the Champagne region.

Visitor Center Filled with the Fragrance of Art Taittinger's visitor center is not merely an information desk but a space of artistic sensibility. In the lobby of the visitor center, works by contemporary sculptor Bernar Venet are exhibited. An elegantly curved brown iron sculpture adds dynamism to the space. This piece is also planned to be placed in the outdoor garden that will be created. Venet's minimal linear work expresses Taittinger's philosophy of elegance and simplicity. Reminiscent of the flow of bubbles in champagne and the graceful ridges of vineyards, this artwork permeates the space with the fragrance of art. Visitors who complete their tasting surrounded by Taittinger's art project series will finally cheer at the Chromatique store, which is stocked with products full of artistic sensibility.

The Ultimate Gastronomic Experience This June, Taittinger begins a new challenge for visitors. They plan to provide a true gastronomic experience by opening a restaurant, including an outdoor garden, in the recently renovated visitor center. This is the result of implementing the artistic tradition of the culinary competition (Prix Culinaire Taittinger) that Taittinger has sponsored for 56 years since 1967. This culinary competition aims to discover and support young chefs, and the competition winners are expected to become the restaurant's chefs.

The restaurant's concept is 'the art of blending.' Like champagne, it allows visitors to experience the blending of colors and flavors in food. Visitors will not just dine here but discover Taittinger champagne and food, various colors and flavors, and even the meaning of life.

Blending of Diversity Taittinger realizes the blending of diversity beyond producing excellent champagne. Taittinger champagne, made from carefully selected grapes from vineyards in 50 villages in the Champagne region, contains a harmony of diversity. Taittinger does not view their heritage as merely a 'possession.' "We are just part of a historical moment in this beautiful heritage. There were others before us, and others will continue in the future. So we don't consider this as our own spectacle, but open our doors to tourists and want to share this beautiful heritage."

A Table Filled with the Fragrance of Life with Taittinger Visiting Taittinger House is a journey to experience the fragrance of life intertwined with 2,000 years of history, war and peace, art and culture.

"A champagne bubble melting in sunshine is like a living being. It's better to enjoy it not too cold, at about 10-11 degrees instead of 8-9 degrees. If possible, it's also important to open the bottle in advance to allow the champagne to breathe."

Taittinger's champagne excels in food pairing as well. "Brut is versatile, pairing well with various foods. Rosé is good as an aperitif in summer, with a fresh and fruity aroma. It pairs perfectly with salmon, shrimp, or even strawberry desserts." For a unique pairing, they also recommend "the combination of rosé champagne with burgers made from slightly undercooked, pink-tinged meat."

Taittinger Brut Reserve is Taittinger's signature champagne, with a balanced taste that combines fresh fruit aromas, toast, almond powder, slight acidity, white flowers, butterscotch, whiskey vanilla, and pear.

Comtes de Champagne Grands Cru Blanc de Blancs 2013 is Taittinger's prestige cuvée, made of 100% Chardonnay. The 2013 vintage has delicate and elegant characteristics, developing deep complexity over time. Though initially introverted and subtle, it gradually reveals its richness as it spends time in the glass.

Taittinger Prélude Grands Crus is a special champagne produced only from Grand Cru vineyards, characterized by a balanced blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir. It showcases minerality and leaves a long, elegant finish with a complex structure.

This Summer, Taittinger's Table Awaits You Taittinger House demonstrates the warm hospitality of a family-run brand. They welcome all visitors as valued guests, share the brand's philosophy and culture, and lead natural conversations. This is why Taittinger has been loved for such a long time. On the Saint-Nicaise hill in Reims, champagne filled with the diverse fragrances of life awaits you.

Like Taittinger's spirit, which never stops innovating while looking to the future even in difficult times, let us also have the courage to not fear new challenges and changes in our life journey.

I hope you enjoy the fragrance of life you imagine with Taittinger.

W Moments by Jooseok Oh captures experiences encountered through wine.

Jooseok Oh, a brand experience architec, is currently the CEO of BARAM Experience. He completed his Ph.D. & DBA in brand experience dimension research. He is a research professor at the Institute for Industrial Policy Studies (IPS). He holds WSET Level 3, French Wine Scholar (FWS), and Italian Wine Scholar (IWS) certifications. He connects wine brands and city brands through experiences.

Author of "Cities Beginning with B: Poetic Journeys Through Europe," co-author and publisher of "Wine Is."